Fair Work Commission lifts minimum wage by 3%

The Fair Work Commission has decided to lift the national minimum wage by 3 per cent to $19.49 per hour.

Maja Garaca Djurdjevic

May 31, 2019

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The Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift the national minimum wage will directly affect about 2.2 million employees, it said in an announcement on Thursday.

“Despite the recent fall in GDP growth, the Australian economy has performed moderately well and the relevant data are all indicative of a strong labour market,” the Commission’s president, Ian Ross, said.

The decision was welcomed by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell.

“The Fair Work Commission has acted independently with a panel of experts assessing all relevant viewpoints and information available to them,” Ms Carnell said.

She noted that it’s critical that this decision-making process remains independent and is kept out of the hands of politicians or those with a vested interest.

“The decision to pay Australia’s 2.2 million award dependent workers an extra $21.60 per week from July 1 fell well short of the $43 per week the Australian Council of Trade Unions lobbied for but was also more than the 2% business groups wanted.

“Australia already has one of the highest minimum wages in the world. The increase awarded exceeds inflation and that will impact small businesses, many of which are doing it tough right now.

“But it’s important to respect the independent role of the Fair Work Commission,” Ms Carnell said.